Washing machine



prl 9, 1940- J.`w. RACKLYEFT WASHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 17, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 JoH/v W. RHCKL rif-'7'.

April 9, 1940 J. w. RACKLYEFT 2,196,474

WASHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 17, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Tim-SID.-

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Patented Apr. 9, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WASHING MACHINE Application December 17, 1935, Serial No. 54,903 1 enum. (cl. os-zs) The present invention comprises novel agitating means for washing machines of the so-called power or hand operated types at present commonly used. 'Ihe primary object of the invention is to produce a novel method, and novel instrumentalities, -whereby to cause 'agitation of the washing liquid in the wash-tub or receptacle with a new mode of use both in reference to the manner in which the washing liquid is agitated, and

in regard to the manner in which the washing liquid is caused to act upon the washable articles within the receptacle by reason of the directions of ow of the currents of the said liquid and by reason of the mechanical action of the agitator means proper upon the washable articles.

My invention includes broadly the method of imparting to the washing or cleansing liquid in the wash-tub or receptacle alternating pressure and suction flow actions from which is derived a movement of the cleansing liquid enabling the use of my method and instrumentalities aforesaid for the washing of the most delicate fabrics or articles.

My invention further involves the last described method of agitating or moving the washing liquid in the tub, and instrumentalities for performing said desired action of said liquid, together with means whereby the agitating instrumentalities producing the desired result cause a continuous movement or shifting of the washable articles in the wash receptacle so as to subject these articles to the actions or movements of the agitating members at different points in such movements and in contact with different portions of said instrumentalities.

My invention involves the agitating means generally above referred to by which I derive a new method of operation of the agitating or cleansing liquid wherein the agitator members create Aa ilow of the cleansing liquid in an approximately circular path, and other flows or currents of said liquid radially or laterally of the points of mounting of the agitating members, and produce still other currents or ows of the agitating liquid at angles in various directions to the general paths of travel of the agitating members.

I have found that by the use of my special agitating means hereinbefore mentioned, and the preferred actuating mechanism therefor, the most delicate or fragile fabrics may be cleansed without the slightest liability of the same being damaged after the manner of the rults achieved in the use of ordinary agitating devices such as generally employed in washing machines today.

My invention involves other details of construction, primarily in regard to speciilcally different forms of agitating members that may be used, and operating devices employed to actuate the same, as will be more fully apparent upon reference to the following description and to the accompanying drawings, inA which:

Figure 1 is a side view showing the general form of a complete washing machine embodying the invention, merely a preferred type.

Figure 2 isa top plan view of the gear housing with the cover plate removed and illustrating the driving linkage intermediate the driven member of the operating mechanism, and the two agitating members comprising the agitating device proper, the drive shafts being shown in section.

Figure 3 is a plan view looking downwardly into the wash tub and showing the agitating members in full lines in the positions of their 20 pressure movement in one direction'and in dotted lines as when moved in one direction of their suction action; the arrows in this'view also show directions of now of currents of the agitating or cleansing liquid. 25

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing the mounting means for the agitating members in reference to the casing or wash tub body.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 2, illus- 30 trating a modified embodiment of the invention wherein the agitating members are mounted upon separate axes.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of agitating members such as would be used with 35 the construction of parts in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a side view of agitating members and operating arms according to the modification of Figures 5 and 6.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the form of 40 agitating blade or member illustrated in Figures Figure 9 is a detail sectional view taken about on the line 9 0 of Figure V7. Y A

Figure 10 is a horizontal sectional view of a 45 fragmentary nature, taken through the supporting axis of actuating members of Figure 6, and showing the filler member intermediate said agitating members.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary plan view showing 50 a modied form of drive link actuating mechanism for the agitating members.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary side view, partly broken away, showing the construction of the parts of Figure 11 more clearly. 55

Figure 13 is a view similarfto Figure 11, showing still another modification of drive linkage between the drivenV member and the agitating members.

Figure 14 is a side view partly shown in section showing more clearly the parts illustrated in Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a view showing more clearly the connections between the drive links and the driven member, according to the construction of Figure 2. l

Figure 16 is a. side view of a modified form of agitating device.

Figure 17 is a vertical sectional view through the axis and portions of the agitating members, as illustrated in Figure 16.

Referring to Figure 1, the parts of the washing machine illustrated .are largely conventional save in regard to the construction of the agitating mechanism, which is illustrated only in dotted lines. Such machine includes the customary washing receptacle or tub I supported on legs 2 and having juxtaposed upon the frame thereof the wringer mechanism generally designated at 3.

One preferred form of the agitating device of the invention is shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 15, and will be seen to comprise a pair of agitating and impeller members 4 and 5, see Figure 3, these members being supported as shown in Figure 4 according to this particular form of the invention. The supporting means includes a shaft 5 supported at its lower end in a bearing 'I within the gear housing 8. The shaft 9 is adapted to be partly rotated in opposite directions relative to the bearing I by means to be hereafter described. Upon the shaft 6 is mounted a sleeve 9, see Figure 2, said sleeve terminating short of the upper end of the shaft 9 as shown in Figure 4. The shaft 6 is designed to be oscillated in one directionand back to its original position, and the sleeve 9 is similarly designed to be oscillated in an opposite direction and back to its original position, the agitating member 5 being secured to the sleeve 9 as by the fastening members Il, and the agitating member l being secured by a similar fastening member II, to the shaft l, near the upper end thereof.

To permit the above mode of mounting the members 4 and 5 upon the parts 9 and 9, respectively, the member I has the two loop bearing portions I2 rotative upon the sleeve 9, and the smaller diameter loop portion I I is secured to theupper end of shaft 9 for rotation with the same. In like manner, the agitating member 5 is provided with loop portions II of a diameter to fit around the sleeve 9. The loop portions Il are spaced from each other and are secured to the sleeve 9 for rotation with the same. The lower end of the sleeve 9 has fastened thereto an operating arm I5, and the lower end portion of theA shaft 6 has secured thereto an operating arm I5.

'I'he two arms I5 and I5 are oscillated with a sort of toggle movement back and forth in this adaptation of the invention, and by their oscillation a corresponding oscillation is imparted to the agitating members 4 and 5 carried by the parts 6 and 9, respectively. The means for operating the arms I5 and Ii may be many and various within the purview of the invention. I illustrate in my drawings different instrumentalities for accomplishing the actuation of these arms I5 and I9. In Figure 2 the arm I5 is actuated by an operating link` I'I and the arm I9 by a similar link I8. Corresponding ends of the linh II and Il are juxtaposed and pivotally connectedwithstuds ontheouterends of their respective arms Il and Il. Corresponding opposite ends of the links II and Il are plvotally attached to a driven member I9, as shown at 20, seel'igme2,andalsoasseeninldgure 15. 'I'he driven member I9 is adapted to be operated in a slow moving manner continuously in one direction by clutch mechanim including the spring clutch member 2 I the shuttle controlling member 22, and the gear set including, among others, the sears 2l and 24.

'Ihe clutch mechanism just referred to is only one of many that may be availed of for purposes of the invention, and is fully described and shown in my copending application for patent, Serial No. 735,041, filed July 13, 1934, and which was ilsed as Patent No. 2,053,580, on September 8,

The desired action of the driving mechanism, including the'member I9, is to impart a substantially reciprocal movement to the driving links Il and Il and thus cause the oscillating or back and forth movements of the arms I5 and Ii. Considering that the same type of driving member I9 is used as. previously described, there may be availed of, for purposes of the invention, the type of driving links designated I'Ia and Ilb, seen in Figures l1 and 12. In this construction the link I'Ib is provided with a lateral arm IIc near its point in connection with the driving member I9, and thelink I 'Ia is pivotaliy attached to said arm I'Ic, instead of being attached to the member I9 at the pivot point designated 2l in Figures 2 and 11. In other words, the link Ila is attached to the arm I'IcI at the point IId. The arrangement and method of actuating the links IIa and I'Ib is contemplated particularly with a view to `amplifying or decreasing, relatively the movements of the agitating members I and l, and, correspondingly, the effects thereof in respect to the agitation of the cleansing liquid. This is accomplished by reason of the fact that because of the location of the pivot points I Id and 29 the movement of one of the links IIa and Ilb is delayed slightly in respect to the other over` the full arcs of travel of the agitating members.

In regard to the Figure 13 construction of driving means between the driven member I9 and the arms I5 and It. it is notable that the link I'Ie is connected to the member I9 at the point 2l, as heretofore described, but the link IIf is connected directly to the link I Ie at,the point 2l located a short distance from the pivotal point 2l. Under these conditions, the link Ile is the main driving link and the link I'If an auxiliary driving link deriving its movement from the link IIe directly, though the parts I'Ie and IIf function largely the same as the similar parts illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 'I illustrates a modified mode of supportingthe agitating'members la and la. In this instancesaid members are carried by separate axes or shafts 20 and 21, respectively, seated at their lower ends in a bearing member 1a. The shafts 29 and 21 have attached thereto the actuating arms 2l and 29, respectively, which function like the arms Il and It previously described. Each agitating member 4a and la has a sleeve-like element 3l which receives its particular shaft or 21, and attaching fastenings 3| are employed for connecting the parts 4a and la with their respective shafts.

If desired.` according to the constructionof Figure 7, which is substantially that illustrated in Figures 6 and 10, there may be interposed between the shafts 26 and 2l and the portions 30 of the agitating members 4a and 5a, a filler member 32 of rubber composition or similar substance. This iiller member is desirable to prevent lodgment of foreign matter or particles from the washable articles handled by the machine, between the shafts 28 and 21 and parts .In Figures 16 and 17 I have illustrated an alternative or modied method of mounting the agitating members 4c and 4d'upon thespindle or shaft 6a that forms the support or bearing for these agitating members as they are oscillated back and forth in producing the desired action thereof upon the cleansing liquid and upon the washable articles in the wash tub. According to this construction there is supported about the shaft 6a a sleeve 9a. These parts conform somewhat to the construction illustrated in Figure 4. The upper end of the spindle or shaft 6a is tapered at 6 and the upper end of the sleeve 9a is tapered at 9. The tapers 5' and 9 provide friction members or portions for the respective parts with which they are formed. 'Ihe upper bearing loop I4a of the agitating member 4d is internally tapered in an upward direction to conform with the taper 9 of the part` 9a. 'Ihe uppermost bearing loop l3a of the agitating member 4c is inwardly and upwardly tapered to conform with the taper 8'. A fastening member or a screw 33 is screwed in the upper end of the shaft or spindle Ba and cooperates to exert a pressure to create suilicient friction between the parts 6' and 9' and the encircling bearing portions of the agitating members such that the said agitating members are fixed to the respective parts 9a and 8a so vthey will oscillate therewith.

In substantially all of the modied forms of my invention the shape of the agitating or impeller members or blades will be the same, though the action or movement of these parts, according to the construction of operating means of Figures 11 and 12, will be slightly different from the other constructions shown. However, it is notable that each member or blade 4 and 5, or 4a and 5a, or 4c and 4d, as the case may be, is formed with an outwardly and laterally curving portion, one side of which inclines into the vertical with a sort of spiral formation. This has to' do with the outermost portion of each blade. In like manner, the uppermost portion of each blade is shaped on a curve in a direction opposite to the curve of the outermost portion of the blade. This method of formation of each blade is of importance to the invention because as the latter member moves in the direction of the arrow a in Figure 3, the cleansing iiuid will have a tendency not `only to be -impelled outwardly as shown by the arrows, but a certain portion of the fluid will escape and move under the blade in a direction opposite to that in which the blade is moving. During this same movement of the blade or member in the direction of the arrow a, the upper rearwardly in' clined edge portion of the blade tends to push laterally and downwardly on the cleansing liquid to force it in the direction of the arrows as indicated in Figure 3; and crowd the liquid against the washable articles at the advancing side of the blade.

' Now when the blade 4 is moving in the direction of the arrow a and the blade 5 in the direction of the arrowb, it'will be apparent that the cleansing liquid in the space between the blades is subjected to a pressure action and is forced to pass through the washable articles which may at the particular moment be located inor adjacent to the space between the moving range of said blades. On the contrary, when the blade 4 is moving in the direction of the arrow b and the blade 5 in the direction of the arrow a, a separating movement, so to speak, the tendency of the blades or agitating members will be to create a suction upon the water or 4cleansing liquid with a sort of vacuum action, so to speak, and this will be an effect opposite to that of ,the pressure action'of the blades and tend to draw the water or cleansing fluid in an opposite direction from that just previously described incident to the approaching movements of the respective blades or members 4 and 5. In referring to the blades 4 and 5, the foregoing is understood to be the operation in reference to the modified forms of the invention wherein the blades are otherwise designated.

It is notable, moreover, that when either blade 4 or 5 is moving in the direction b, the tendency of 'the blade is to cause the water to ride up the scoop-like incline of the outer portion of the blade and pass over the blade at the upper flanged portion which, as previously described, inclines in a direction oppositely to the direction of the outer curvature of each blade or agitating member.

It is further notable that as the blades 4 and 5, see Figure 3, approach one another in their socalled pressure movement, they are being caused to separate in respect to the other extreme of their oscillation from which they move in order to accomplish said pressure action on the cleansing fluid, so that in respect to the washable articles adjacent the space between the blades 4 and 5 at the left in Figure 3 the blades will be accomplishing a pressure effect to force the cleansing liquid through the articles at this point, and they will be accomplishing a suction effect to draw the cleansing liquid through and from the articles while moving toward their dotted line position as seen in Figure 3.

It will be apparent, therefore, that by reason of the construction of my blades or members 4 and 5, a peculiar alternating pressure and suction effect with special different direction ows of the liquid is accomplishedin alternation with regard to the washable articles acted upon by the said members 4 and 5.

In addition to the action of the members 4 and 5 upon the cleansing liquid and the effcient cleaning operation accomplished thereby, the manner of curvature of the members 4 and 5 tends to impart a continuous shifting movement to the washable articles in the tub so that these washable articles are caused to revolve around the members 4 and 5 within the compartment or chamber of the washing receptacle I; thus different portions of the washable articles are caused to contact with the members 4 and 5 at different portions thereof with added eiciency in respect to the cleansing operation of the apparatus.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that in the operation of the method of my invention, and the instrumentalities for carrying out said method in vrespect to the mechanical action in the washing machine receptacle l, the agitating members or blades 4'and 5 alternately squeeze and pull apart or separate the washable articles 'which are engaged thereby. the said blades all the time in their cooperation with said articles tending to cause a progressive movement thereof in a circular path within the receptacle I. The progression'of .the washable articles is caused of course by the general single direction of curvature of the blades or members l and l. The laterally extending flanges or curved portions of the blades near their upper edges permit the washable articles to pass over the blades. and I have found that a movement of the blades such that the washable articles are propelled a complete revolution in the receptacle I, in the space of about one minute. affords high efficiency in the cleansing operation of the machine. Of course, I do not wish to be limited to any particular period of time for such complete progressive revolution of said articles.

It is of material advantage, according to the method of my invention. that the Vwashable articles are, generally speaking, freely floating in the cleansing liquid as they are progressing around the axis of the agitating device, excepting only at such times as the squeezing operations are performed upon said articles, these operations taking place intermittently. Because the articles are freely floating during a considerable andere period of the progression thereof. the action of the cleansing fluid is more eifective as the squeezing and separating effects of the members l and l are performed in reference thereto. This is due to the fact that the cleansing liquid is adapted to readily be forced through the washable articles both when they are subjected to pressure and when the suction eect thereon is applied incident to the separating action of the blades or members 4 and l as respects those of the articles lying therebetween.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is: f

In a washing machine, incombination, a washing receptacle and an agitating device therein, said device comprising a plurality of agitating blades mounted in the receptacle to move about a vertical axis, coaxially disposed operating means for moving said blades toward and from each other about a common axis. means for securing said blades at their inner edges to said operating-means, and bearing means for one of the blades spaced from its connection with said operating means and coaxial therewith.

JOHN W. RACKLYEFI. 

